TOYOTA TACOMA 2015 Owners Manual (in English)

5
When trouble arises
501
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If the engine will not star t
If the engine still does not start after following the correct starting
procedure ( P. 131) or releasing the steering lock (P. 132), confirm
the following points.
■ The engine will not start even when the starter motor oper-
ates normally.
One of the following may be the cause of the problem.
●There may not be sufficient fuel in the vehicle’s tank.
Refuel the vehicle.
● The engine may be flooded.
Try to restart the engine once more following correct starting
procedures.
● There may be a malfunction in the engine immobilizer system.
(  P. 7 7 )
■ The starter motor turns over slowly, the interior lights and
headlights are dim, or the horn does not sound or sounds at
a low volume.
One of the following may be the cause of the problem.
●The battery may be discharged. ( P. 504)
● The battery terminal connec tions may be loose or corroded.
■ The starter motor does not turn over, the interior lights and
headlights do not turn on, or the horn does not sound.
One of the following may be the cause of the problem.
● One or both of the battery terminals may be disconnected.
● The battery may be discharged. ( P. 504)
Contact your Toyota dealer if the problem cannot be repaired, or if
repair procedures are unknown.

502
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If the shift lever cannot be shifted from P (vehicles with an automatic transmission)
If the shift lever cannot be shifted with your foot on the brake, there
may be a problem with the shift lock system (a system to prevent
accidental operation of the shift lever). Have the vehicle inspected by
your Toyota dealer immediately.
The following steps may be used as an emergency measure to
ensure that the shift lever can be shifted.
Set the parking brake.
Turn the engine switch to the ACC or ON position.
Depress the brake pedal.
Pry the cover up with a flat-
head screwdriver or equiva-
lent.
Press the shift lock override
button.
The shift lever can be shifted
while the button is pressed.

5
When trouble arises
503
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If you lose your keys
New genuine Toyota keys can be made by your Toyota dealer using
the other key and the key number stamped on your key number
plate.

504
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If the vehicle batter y is discharged
The following procedures may be used to start the engine if the
vehicle’s battery is discharged.
You can call your Toyota dealer or qualified repair shop.
If you have a set of jumper (or boo ster) cables and a second vehi-
cle with a 12-volt battery, you can jump start your Toyota following
the steps below.
Connect the jumper cables.
2.7 L 4-cylinder (2TR-FE) engine

5
When trouble arises
505
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
4.0 L V6 (1GR-FE) engine
Positive (+) battery terminal on your vehicle
Positive (+) battery terminal on the second vehicle
Negative (-) battery terminal on the second vehicle
Connect the jumper cable to ground on your vehicle as shown in
the illustration.
Start the engine of the second vehicle. Increase the engine
speed slightly and maintain at that level for approximately 5
minutes to recharge the battery of your vehicle.
Maintain the engine speed of the second vehicle and start
the vehicle’s engine.
Once the vehicle’s engine has started, remove the jumper
cables in the exact reverse order in which they were con-
nected.
Once the engine starts, have the vehicle checked at your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible.

506 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■Starting the engine when the battery is discharged (vehicles with an
automatic transmission)
The engine cannot be started by push-starting.
■ Avoiding a discharged battery
●Turn off the headlights and the audio system while the engine is turned
off.
● Turn off any unnecessary electrical components when the vehicle is run-
ning at a low speed for an extended period, such as in heavy traffic, etc.
■ Charging the battery
The electricity stored in the battery will discharge gradually even when the
vehicle is not in use, due to natural discharge and the draining effects of cer-
tain electrical appliances. If the vehicle is left for a long time, the battery may
discharge, and the engine may be unable to start. (The battery recharges
automatically during driving.)
CAUTION
■Avoiding battery fires or explosions
Observe the following precautions to prevent accidentally igniting the flam-
mable gas that may be emitted from the battery.
●Make sure the jumper cable is connected to the correct terminal and that it
is not unintentionally in contact with any part other than the intended termi-
nal.
● Do not allow the jumper cables to come into contact with the “+” and “-” ter-
minals.
● Do not smoke, use matches, cigarette lighters or allow open flame near
the battery.

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When trouble arises
507
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
CAUTION
■
Battery precautions
The battery contains poisonous and corrosive acidic electrolyte, while
related parts contain lead and lead compounds. Observe the following pre-
cautions when handling the battery.
●When working with the battery, always wear safety glasses and take care
not to allow any battery fluids (acid) to come into contact with skin, clothing
or the vehicle body.
● Do not lean over the battery.
● In the event that battery fluid comes into contact with the skin or eyes,
immediately wash the affected area with water and seek medical attention.
Place a wet sponge or cloth over the affected area until medical attention
can be received.
● Always wash your hands after handling the battery support, terminals, and
other battery-related parts.
● Do not allow children near the battery.
NOTICE
■To prevent damaging the vehicle (vehicles with a manual transmission)
Do not pull- or push-start the vehicle, because the three-way catalytic con-
verter may overheat and become a fire hazard.
■ When handling jumper cables
Be careful that the jumper cables do not become tangled in the cooling fan
or any of the belts when connecting or disconnecting them.

508
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If your vehicle overheats
Correction proceduresStop the vehicle in a safe place and turn off the air condition-
ing system, and then stop the engine.
If you see steam: Carefully lift the hood after the steam subsides completely.
If you do not see steam: Carefully lift the hood.
After the engine has cooled
down sufficiently, inspect the
hoses and radiator core (radia-
tor) for any leaks.
Radiator
Cooling fan
If a large amount of coolant leaks,
immediately contact your Toyota
dealer.
The coolant level is satisfactory if
the reservoir level is between the
“FULL” and “LOW” lines on the
reservoir.Reservoir
“FULL”
“LOW”
Radiator cap
The following may indicate that your vehicle is overheating.
● The needle of the engine co olant temperature gauge (P. 145)
enters the red zone or a loss of engine power is experienced.
(For example, the vehicl e speed does not increase.)
● Steam comes out from under the hood.

5
When trouble arises
509
5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Add coolant if necessary.
Water can be used in an emer-
gency if coolant is unavailable.
Start the engine to check that the radiator cooling fan oper-
ates and check for coolant leak
s from the radiator or hoses.
If the fan is not operating: Stop the engine immediately and contact your Toyota
dealer.
If the fan is operating: Have the vehicle inspected at the nearest Toyota dealer.
CAUTION
■To prevent an accident or injury when inspecting under the hood of
your vehicle
●If steam is seen coming from under the hood, do not open the hood until
the steam has subsided. The engine compartment may be very hot, caus-
ing serious injuries such as burns.
● Keep hands and clothing (especially a tie, a scarf or a muffler) away from
the fan and belts. Failure to do so may cause the hands or clothing to be
caught, resulting in serious injury.
● Do not loosen the radiator cap and the coolant reservoir cap while the
engine and radiator are hot.
Serious injury, such as burns, may result from hot coolant and steam
released under pressure.

510 5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
NOTICE
■When adding engine coolant
Wait until the engine has cooled down before adding engine coolant.
When adding coolant, do so slowly. Adding cool coolant to a hot engine too
quickly can cause damage to the engine.
■ To prevent damage to the cooling system
Observe the following precautions:
●Avoid contaminating the coolant with foreign matter (such as sand or dust
etc.).
● Do not use any coolant additives.